Sunshine vs. Sunscreen: Which is Worse?

I’ve heard a lot lately about Vitamin D and its almost epidemic rate of deficiency. Apparently most of us are lacking it, and its lack causes or at least contributes to all sorts of problems: cancer, heart disease, chronic pain, Fibromyalgia, hypertension, arthritis, depression, inflammatory bowel disease, obesity, PMS, Crohns Disease, MS and other autoimmune diseases.
The Vitamin D Council states that Vitamin D deficiency can also cause stroke, osteoporosis, muscle weakness, muscle wasting and birth defects.

Apparently, we have been so taught to fear the sun (for causing premature aging and skin cancer), that we automatically spread on the sunblock, preventing us from getting what we need. So, we lack vitamin D, which as you can see, causes many, many health problems.

We need sunlight. Only 5-10 minutes each day is enough. More for those with darkly pigmented skin.

And about that sunscreen…..well, ironically, most are FULL of toxins that should NOT be put on our skin. Those toxins actually increase our chances of skin cancer, it seems.

According to this article from Enviromom, only 39 of 500 sunscreens are recommended by the EWG, for primarily 2 reasons:
1) Many sunscreens with high SPF claims don’t actually offer that much protection, giving consumers a false sense of security and potentially increasing the amount of time they spend in the sun. Sun burns and exposure to UVA radiation increase the risk of skin cancer.

2) Vitamin A is a common sunscreen ingredient and has recently been linked (via government data) to accelerated development of skin tumors and lesions.

This article on the NatualNews explains how “the idea that sunscreen prevents cancer is a myth. It’s a myth promoted by a profit-seeking tag-team effort between the cancer industry and the sunscreen industry. The sunscreen industry makes money by selling lotion products that actually contain cancer-causing chemicals. It then donates a portion of that money to the cancer industry through non-profit groups like the American Cancer Society which, in turn, run heart-breaking public service ads urging people to use sunscreen to “prevent cancer.”

And this article from Dr.Axe shares that “The great thing about the way God designed our bodies is that the very thing that can cause damage to our bodies (ultraviolet rays) also protects us from that very same damage. Dr. John J. Cannell tells us that when you are out in the sunshine, Vitamin D goes directly to your genes and helps prevent any sort of abnormality that could be caused by ultraviolet light.

That is why sunscreen can actually contribute to cancer. Aside from the high amounts of toxicity, sunscreen blocks Vitamin D production in your body and you are left without nature’s built in cancer-fighting protection.”

So pause a little before you slather on the sunscreen. Get some rays first, then use a more natural screen if you need to.

And purpose to get some sun on your skin each day. I do this while I’m hanging out my laundry. It’s my “replenish my Vitamin D” time.

3 Replies to “Sunshine vs. Sunscreen: Which is Worse?”

I am very fair skinned so have been told to slather myself with sunscreen until doctors are blue in the face. Earlier this year my vitamin D level was tested and it came back at a frighteningly low 16. After taking high doses of supplements, I managed to get it up to 31 in 8 weeks but really didn't feel any better. Now I get out and get a little sun first thing in the morning and again in the evening and that has made a much bigger difference. My fibromyalgia is still here but the depression has lifted! I am currently searching for sunscreens on the EWG safe list for when my kiddos are out during peak sun time. Otherwise, they just get out and get some actual sun on their skin a little here and there or they play in the shade or wear long sleeves. One of my son has some sensory issues and he loathes having lotion put on. He will opt for long sleeves or playing in the shade over sunscreen. I don't fight him on that.

Well, there's my ramble. I guess I should finish my coffee before posting things in the morning. 🙂

i was very glad to read this-not glad for vitiamn d deficency, but glad to know my mil actually knows what she's talking about, we did a beach day on memorial day (may31) and she asked me "are you putting poison on my grandbabies!!" i looked at her like she was growing antena! -seriously not the craziest thing that's come out of her mouth and she's very well learned in natrual ways. but alas i still put the sunscreen on my kids. spf 60!! wooo. now i'm considering throwing my whole batch in the trash, but first i want to check out that list of reccomended sun screens. the one i bought said peditrician reccomended. hmm

When we did a beach day I put the poison on the kids. Because it was many hours, there was really no choice. But beach days are not so frequent, and I'm glad I know that it's ok to skip it for the shorter outings. And that it's actually good to make sure they get some sun first!

I have to look into what's better to use here. In Israel, it's not so easy to find many brands. I suggest following some of the links to the other sites to look for better choices if you want to use a sunscreen.